Cong-NCP-RPI alliance can defeat SS-BJP in civic polls-RPI

Kolhapur, Nov 1 (UNI) It was not possible to defeat the Shiv Sena-BJP in the coming Mumbai and Thane municipal corporation elections without an alliance between Congress, NCP and RPI, Republican Party of india(RPI) Athwale group President Ramdas Athawale today said.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Athwale said the secular trio should form an alliance to take on the communal forces in the forthcoming civic elections.

''The process of forging unity among the different RPI factions was held up due to Prakash Ambedkar's wrong stand. ''He wants an RPI alliance without me which is not possible nor acceptable to RPI workers,'' Mr Athawale said in reply to a query.

To a question regarding SEZs, Mr Athwale said the Union Government's decision regarding Special Economic Zones (SEZ) was originally taken with the intention of creating job opportunities for the rural youth. But the current policy adopted by the Government was to acquire farm lands at a pittance against the farmers interest and was not acceptable to his party, he said.

''I will meet the Prime Minister and demand a change in this policy,'' he said.

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